Canucks rue OT penalty as Kings level series

By Allan Dowd

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Kings took advantage of a Vancouver penalty in overtime to score a 3-2 victory and even their best-of-seven NHL playoff series at one game each on Saturday.

The Canucks were penalized for having too many men on the ice and Anze Kopitar fired home the winner on the power-play.

It capped a comeback for the young Los Angeles team after netminder Jonathan Quick gave up two goals on the first four shots he faced in the first period.

"That's been a trademark of ours all season," said Los Angeles coach Terry Murray. "We showed a lot of grit."

After Steve Bernier and Mikael Samuelsson gave the Canucks a 2-0 lead, the Kings came storming back in the second period when Fredrik Modin and Wayne Simmonds scored less than a minute apart.

Neither team could find the net in the third period, sending the game to overtime.

Los Angeles, who will host the next two games, were able to hold the potent Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, without a point and punished Vancouver on the power-play with two goals.

"It's inexcusable. We're playing undisciplined and taking a lot of undisciplined penalties," Vancouver center Ryan Kesler said.

"It's was the wrong call," Vigneault said.

In the day's other playoff games, the Washington Capitals staged a third-period comeback to beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-5 and tie that series at 1-1. Nicklas Backstrom scored the winner in overtime, giving him a hat-trick on the night. The series now moves to Montreal.

In Buffalo, Boston rallied with three goals in the third period to beat Buffalo 5-3 and tie their series at one game each. Both Michael Ryder and Zdeno Chara scored twice for the Bruins, who will host the next two games.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)